Yes, deaf people can use bone conduction headphones, but it depends on the type and level of hearing loss. Bone conduction headphones, such as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, transmit sound vibrations through the cheekbones directly to the inner ear (cochlea), bypassing the eardrum. This means individuals with conductive hearing loss—where the outer or middle ear is damaged—may still perceive sound clearly through bone conduction. However, people with profound sensorineural hearing loss, where the inner ear or auditory nerve is severely impaired, may not benefit because the technology still relies on a functioning cochlea. In short, bone conduction can be helpful for some deaf or hard-of-hearing users, but effectiveness varies based on the specific hearing condition.
